Mr. Ingham, the Recording Secretary and Acting CoiTespoading Secretary^, 

 presented and read his report. 



Hon. CHAUNCEr Abbott, 'Treasurer, presented his report, wbich was read by 

 the Secretary. 



On motion of A. Hyatt Smith, Esq., of Janes\ille, the several reports were- 

 accepted. 



Hon. E. B. Dean, jr., of Madison, moved that the Society do now proceed 

 to the election of Officers for the ensuing year, which was carried. 



The President announced that a ballot would first be taken for the election of 

 a President, and appointed Messrs. E. B. Dean, jr., of Madison, and Isaao 

 WooDLE, of Janesville, as Tellers. 



And the roll of members having been called, and the Secretary having 

 announced that all the members present had voted, Messi-s. Royal Buck and 

 Philo Dunning, of Madison, claimed the right to have their names called as. 

 members, and to vote, on the ground that one year had not elapsed since they 

 became members of the Society. 



The Secretary explained that all annual memberships ex|")ired on the thirty- 

 first day of December of the year of admission, unless previously renewed,, 

 which those gentlemen had neglected to do as yet. 



Messrs. Buck and Dunning, in answer, stated, that their understanding of an 

 annual membership was a membership of three hundred and sixty-five days, 

 beginning on the day of admission of the member, and ending one year from 

 that time. 



And some further discussion having taken place, Hon. Thomas T. Whittle- 

 sey, of Pheasant Branch, offered the following Resolution, which was adopted, 

 to wit : 



Resolved — That those persons who have paid one dollar for membership, 

 during the year 1851, be allowed to vote by courtesy, at this meeting; but 

 that hereafter, the fiscal year of the Society, begin on the first day of January, 

 and all annual memberships expire on the 31st day of December previous. 



And several gentlemen having voted, the result of the ballot was announced 

 as follows : 



Whole number of votes cast, 61 ; necessary to a choice, 31. 



The Hon. Henry M. Billings, of Highland, having received 58 votes, the 

 same being a majority of all the votes cast, was declared by Hon. William 

 F. Tompkins duly elected President of the State Agi-icultural Society for the 

 ensuing year. 



Mr. Billings, in a few appropriate remarks, returned his thanks to the Society 

 for the honor conferred upon him, pledging his services and labor in its behalf 

 during the coming year, and giving the assurance that he would lose no opportu- 



